I have a weakness for children’s books. Anyone who knows me well will tell you I can rarely pass by a bookstore – and once in, I never leave without at least one must-have gem. Unlike my weakness for chocolate, this vice has served me well over the years, first as a teacher, then as an unschooling mom.
Research shows that children surrounded by a literature-rich environment tend to become good readers themselves. I find this comforting as I scan the shelves of my bookcases filled with a multitude of literature. I also find this an excellent justification when my husband lifts an eyebrow at my seemingly insatiable appetite for book-buying!
Books are an excellent connecting point for little ones and adults. Even babies are enriched by the tone and cadence of a well-written story (along with the snuggles that invariably come with it). Over the years, our family has read literally hundreds of books for littles. Here are our favorites – loved by adults and kids alike.
1. Bear at Home
by Stella Blackstone
2. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
by Bill Martin, Jr.
3. But Not the Hippopotamus
by Sandra Boynton
4. The Carrot Seed
by Ruth Krauss
5. Catalina Magdalena Hoopensteiner Wallendiner Hogan Logan Bogan Was Her Name
by Tedd Arnold
6. Chicka Chicka Boom, Boom
by Bill Martin, Jr.
7. Click, Clack Moo: Cows That Type
by Doreen Cronin
8. Each Peach Pear Plum
by Janet & Allan Ahlberg
9. Good Night, Gorilla
by Peggy Rathmann
10. Good Night Moon
by Margaret Wise Brown
11. Gossie & Friends series
by Olivier Dunrea
12. Harold and the Purple Crayon
by Crockett Johnson
13. Hattie and the Fox
by Mem Fox
14. Horns to Toes and In Between
by Sandra Boynton
15. Is Your Mama a Llama?
by Deborah Guarino
16. Mama, Do You Love Me?
by Barbara Joosse
17. Moo, Baa, La La La
Sandra Boynton
18. Pierre
by Maurice Sendak
19. Piggies
by Audrey Wood
20. Silly Sally
by Audrey Wood
21. Time for Bed
by Mem Fox
22. The Very Hungry Caterpillar
by Eric Carle
23. The Very Quiet Cricket
by Eric Carle
24. Where is Baby’s Belly Button
by Karen Katz
25. Where the Wild Things Are
by Maurice Sendak
Such a great list!